What had he thought to accomplish today?
* * *
Frits was rather pleased with the way he’d stuck a spoke into Anglesey’s wheel. Once he had arrived, the man had not had an opportunity to speak with Adeline at all. And she seemed perfectly ready to converse with him. He could almost feel sorry for the here and therian.
Almost, but not quite.
He had no respect for a gentleman who would attempt to court a lady while carrying on an affair with another woman. Especially when that lady was Adeline, and he planned to marry her.
Glancing around, he spied Turner with Miss Martindale and rode over. “Good day, Miss Martindale, Turner.”
“Good afternoon, my lord.” She caught Turner’s eye and raised one brow.
The man cleared this throat. “Littleton, well-met. I haven’t seen much of you this Season.”
They’d been at almost all the same entertainments, but Turner had apparently been so focused on Miss Martindale, he hadn’t noticed anyone else. “Speaking of seeing people, I just had an interesting conversation with Fitzwalter.”
“Huh.” Turner seemed surprised. “I didn’t even know he was in Town.”
“Who is Mr. Fitzwalter?” Miss Martindale’s voice rose in a question when she said “mister.”
Turner replied, “His father, Lord Fitzwalter, owns the estate to my west.”
“Oh.” As Frits hoped, Miss Martindale definitely looked interested.
“He’s coming to dinner this evening and accompanying me to the ball.” He’d baited the hook, now it was time to see if the fish would bite. “I’d appreciate it if you could spend some time with him. If you knew a lady who would stand up with him, that is even better.”
The corners of Miss Martindale’s lips curved up. “I do know a lady to whom I can present him.”
“Thank you. I look forward to seeing you this evening.” He inclined his head, and rode around a bit more.
This matchmaking was almost enjoyable. Across the carriageway, Belmont was driving with a lady, and Frits made his way close enough to ascertain that it was Miss Hanson. It seemed as if neither of the ladies would be his problem much longer. Yet, other than the fear that one of them might succeed, he could not complain too much. Their schemes had given him an opportunity to remain close to Adeline, something he fully intended to continue to do.
* * *
That evening, after the third set, Frits saw his plan with Fitzwalter come to fruition in a more fruitful manner than he’d expected.
Frits was standing with Adeline and her family when the man strode up to him, grabbed his hand, and shook it. “You never told me how beautiful Miss Tice is. To think I would have missed out on meeting her if you hadn’t dragged me out of bed this morning.”
He repressed his glee. “I take it your meeting went well?”
“By God, yes,” Fitzwalter said with feeling. “She is not only beautiful, but delightful as well.”
“Does this mean you don’t want Gertrude?” Frits actually wanted to see what the man had in mind to keep the cow with him.
“No.” Fitzwalter laughed. “A deal is a deal, and I need to show my father I know what I’m about.” He shook Frits’s hand again. “Have a good evening.”
“That was interesting.” Adeline tilted her head. “I still do not understand why he wants a cow that runs away.”
“Cows again? I don’t understand either of you. One would think you could find more interesting topics of conversation.” Wivenly narrowed his eyes at them. “Unless this is some sort of code.”
Adeline gaped at her brother. “Why on earth would you think we had a code?”
“Never mind. Do not leave this spot. I must speak with Eugénie.” He stepped over to his wife.
“What was that about?” Adeline gazed after her brother.
Equally confused, Frits shook his head. “He obviously has a much more devious mind than we do.”
